News story: Start date announced for negotiations with European Commission

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The first round of talks that will see Britain leave the European Union will start on Monday June 19, officials have confirmed.

Following discussions in Brussels today, both sides agreed that the formal negotiations under the Article 50 process can now start.

In a joint statement issued today, officials said: “Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s Chief Negotiator and David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, agreed today to launch Article 50 negotiations on Monday June 19.”

News story: Lord Ahmad appointed FCO Minister for the Commonwealth and UN

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Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon has been appointed as Minister for the Commonwealth and the United Nations at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. His responsibilities also include the Overseas Territories and the Caribbean.

I am honoured to have been appointed and look forward to representing the UK’s interests across the world.

It will be a privilege to continue the UK’s work internationally in support of our shared human values, promoting international peace, security and prosperity – all of which are in the vital interests of our country. I am also committed to promoting the UK’s leading role on global issues such as countering violent extremism and the protection and safeguarding of human rights and religious freedoms.

I am also honoured to have been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.

As the UK prepares to host the Commonwealth Summit next year I also look forward to visiting and meeting with Commonwealth leaders and representatives across the world.

News story: Advocate General appears in first sitting of UK Supreme Court in Scotland

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The Advocate General for Scotland, Lord Keen of Elie QC represented the UK Government in two UKSC hearings in Edinburgh this week. This was the first time the UK Supreme Court (UKSC) has sat outside London. The move was an historic occasion for the Court and well received by the legal profession in Scotland. On Monday 12 June 2017, Lord Keen represented the interests of the Secretary of State for the Home Department in the UKSC case of Sadovska and another v Secretary of State for the Home Department in relation to a sham marriage. On 21-22 June 2017, Lord Keen represented the interests of the Secretary of State for Justice in the UKSC case of Brown v The Scottish Ministers relating to the rehabilitation of extended sentence prisoners. Judgments for both hearings will be issued in due course.

Empowering schools, teachers and parents

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Scotland has a good education system. Under the SNP, Higher exam passes are up a third. A record number of school leavers are going on to continued education, training or work. And more young people than ever before are studying at university – including more young people from deprived backgrounds.